Make Friends

by Mike C. a full-timer from Pigeon Forge
(Put Yourself Out There - A Method for Being Friendly)

This is how I make friends. I am a full timer and usually go to campsites that rent by the month. We went to a campground in June. I noticed my neighbor everyday sitting outside in the morning, drinking coffee and smoking by himself. He looked really unhappy and lonely.

One morning I grabbed my coffee and smokes and went out there.

I took the plunge and asked, "Do you mind company?"

He said to come on over. I met his wonderful Labrador dog, and we shot the breeze for a while and had our coffee. Come to find out, we had a lot in common. We had coffee and cigs (breakfast of dead champions) everyday. We both looked forward to it and never missed doing it. It gave us a break from the wives - lol. We stayed and extra month there just because of them.

Folks, we live in an isolationist society now. Kids don't play with each other. We don't go clubbing. It's gotten so if you're a social person people think you have leprosy. I refuse to change.

And I did it again in another campground, the one were in now. My neighbor would do the same and would run and retreat if anyone went by. I caught up with him and had coffee one day, and now, we have coffee together. Now, if I'm outside, my neighbor will come out and "play," -- says hi and chats.

I guess I look less threatening with a coffee cup in my hand and that symbolizes I'm in a chatting mood.

So setup a tray with coffee. Take your smokes, and walk over and say, "Would you like a cup of coffee?" If they like coffee, they will say yes and you have broken the ice. Make sure you do it more than once and you will get to know people and make friends. Also, guys, shake a person's hand, look them in the eye when you introduce yourself -- it makes a big difference.

Go to the RV Life and Travel blog from this article about how to make friends while full-time RVing.